Background: Burn scars remain a serious physical and psychological problem for the
affected people. Both clinical studies and basic scientific research have shown that
medical needling can significan...

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Background: Burn scars remain a serious physical and psychological problem for the affected people. Both clinical studies and basic scientific research have shown that medical needling can significantly increase the quality of burn scars with comparatively low risk and stress for the patient related to skin elasticity, moisture, erythema and transepidermal water loss. However, medical needling does not influence repigmentation of large hypopigmented scars. Objective: The goal is to evaluate whether both established methods - needling (improvement of scar quality) and non-cultured autologous skin cell suspension (NCASCS) "ReNovaCell" (repigmentation) - can be combined. So far, 20 patients with mean age of 33 years (6-60 years) with deep second and third degree burn scars have been treated. The average treated tissue surface was 94 cm² (15-250 cm²) and was focused on areas like face, neck, chest and arm. Methods: Medical needling is performed using a roller covered with 3 mm long needles. The roller is vertically, horizontally and diagonally rolled over the scar, inducing microtrauma. Then, NCASCS is applied, according to the known protocol. The patients have been followed up for 15 months postoperatively. The scars were subdivided into "UV-exposed" and "UV-protected" to discover whether the improved repigmentation is due to transfer of melanocytes or to reactivation of existing melanocytes after exposure to UV or the sun. Results: The objective measures show improved pigmentation in both UV-exposed and UV-protected groups. Melanin increases 1 year after NCASCS treatment in the UV-protected group are statistically significant. Conclusion: Medical needling in combination with NCASCS shows promise for repigmentation of burn scars, even in sun protected scars.

Introduction: Autologous fat transfer has recently become an increasingly popular
surgical procedure and comprises harvesting, processing and transplantation of adipose
tissue, as well as professiona...

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Introduction: Autologous fat transfer has recently become an increasingly popular
surgical procedure and comprises harvesting, processing and transplantation of adipose
tissue, as well as professional follow-up care. This method, as a surgical procedure,
can be utilised for trauma-, disease- or age-related soft tissue volume deficits and
soft tissue augmentation. As usage is increasing, but the variables of fat harvest,
specific indications and fashion of fat transfer are poorly defined, there is a great
demand for development of a guideline in the field of reconstructive and aesthetic
surgery. Methods: All relevant points were discussed within the scope of a consensus
conference including a nominal group process of all societies involved in the procedure
and ratified with a strong consensus (>95%). Literature from the standard medical
databases over the last 10 years was retrieved, studied and specific guidelines were
concluded. Results: Consensus was achieved among all professionals involved on the
following points: 1. definition 2. indication/contraindication, 3. preoperative measures
4. donor sites 5. techniques of processing 6. transplantation 7. follow-up care 8.
storage 9. efficacy 10. documentation 11. evaluation of patient safety. Conclusion:
Definite indications and professional expertise are paramount for autologous fat tissue
transfer. Successful transfers are based on the use of correct methods as well as
specific instruments and materials. Autologous adipose tissue transplantation is considered
to be a safe procedure in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, due to the low rate
of postoperative complications and sequelae.